A great family activity and a must do when on holiday in Falmouth! One thing that is important is to check out the tides! You can get a copy of the tide times from the Falmouth Tourist Information Centre. Castle, Swanpool and Maenporth beaches have some great rockpooling areas. Some top rockpooling tips:
Spring (occur twice every month) or very low tides are the best times to go rock pooling.
Don't forget your wellies, a bucket, net and a good guidebook.
Why not make yourself an underwater viewer using a plastic drinks bottle. Cut it in half, put cling film over the bottom.
Don’t forget to put back what you catch at the end of your day
What you could see:
Starfish
Starfish, Sea Urchins and Brittlestars - these striking creatures are symmetrical with arms radiating out from a central body
Sea Squirts
These creatures are characterised by their soft bodies and can be seen attached to rocks on lower shores.
Sea Anenomes
Another soft bodied creature which can be found attached to rocks.
Crustaceans
There are 4 main types of crab you may see - Shore, Hermit, Velvet Swimming and Edible crab. Also look out for shrimps and barnacles.
Molluscs
These include sea slugs, mussels and limpets whose shell resembles a Chinese hat!
Shore fish
Keep an eye out for blenny and goby, often seen darting around rockpools. You'll have to be quick to catch one!
